Fine second-half display from Young Munster

Ballymena 13 Young Munster 27

AIB LEAGUE - DIVISION 1B

Young Munster maintained their push for the play-offs and promotion with an impressive second half display at Eaton Park.

Having led 11-10 at the break, tries from out-half Alan Kingsley and flanker James O'Neill helped the Cookies pull off a 14-point win over Ballymena.

It was a similar margin when these sides met at Tom Clifford Park in November, and the visitors' organised defence, in particular, frustrated the life out of the Braidmen this afternoon.

Ballymena edged ahead thanks to a sixth minute penalty from scrum half David O'Hara, Kingsley replied with one of his own before forward pressure, on 20 minutes, yielded a converted try for home lock Darryl O'Kane.

Munsters captain Ger Slattery emerged from under a pile of bodies as the visitors hit back with a try before half-time, and an injury-time penalty from Kingsley left the Limerick side with a one-point lead.

Laois man Kingsley increased that with a 44th minute penalty and he managed to charge down a kick from his opposite number Luke Marshall and race through for a sucker-punch try, soon after.

Replacement Gareth Fisher closed the gap for Ballymena to 19-13, but a fourth successful penalty from Kingsley and a late try from O'Neill capped off Munsters' eighth successive Division 1B win.

Scorers: Ballymena: Try; Darryl O'Kane; Con: David O'Hara; Pens: David O'Hara, Gareth Fisher

Young Munster: Tries: Ger Slattery, Alan Kingsley, James O’Neill; Pens: Alan Kingsley 4